VicPD Local Business Cyber Safety Assessments
Amid rising concern with online security threats, the Victoria Police Department has established a proactive initiative aimed at helping small businesses
in Victoria and Esquimalt reduce their risk of becoming a victim to cybercrime.
VicPD Local Business Cyber Safety Assessments is a three-step process to analyze a company’s online infrastructure and network setup.
The voluntary program is free to small businesses in the City of Victoria and Township of Esquimalt, exclusively.
Upon registration and program acceptance, members from VicPD’s Cybercrime and IT Units consult on the following tasks:
1. Initial Visit: Initial Visit: Explains the assessment process, obtains consent, and conducts an early review.
2. Network Scan: Network Scan: VicPD IT staff conduct a secure scan of the businesses’ public-facing systems – such as websites and emails.
3. Security Report: Security Report: Cybercrime investigators and IT staff provide a summary of the findings and give recommendations to help
the business improve cybersecurity resilience.
The program launched in August 2025 and scaled up in February 2026. Since then, it has been helping close vulnerability gaps
that could lead to financial loss, ransomware, and/or data breaches.
VicPD Local Business Cyber Safety Assessments is a judgement-free and confidential tool to prevent cybercrime, which is much harder to solve after it happens.
Small business owners operating in the City of Victoria or Township of Esquimalt, who are interested in receiving a free assessment, should fill out the online form.
Due to demand, only selected applicants will be contacted.
